PES Wind Issue 1 2017

CORPORATE FOCUS “The lifespan of the Humidur coatings exceeds 30 years. ”Humidur anti-corrosion coatings and under water. The cleaning step is carried out in accordance with the international standardThis is a solvent-free 2K polyamine cured • N o impact on the environment: it is ISO 8501-1 St2 or St3 depending on themodified epoxy coating and offers following completely solvent free, contains no accessibility of the surface.benefits as coating repair system in the VOC’s, no heavy metals, nooffshore wind industry: isocyanates, no coal tar or any other Power tool cleaning is carried out by means hazardous component of an angle grinder which allows feathering• Applied in one layer by brush: reduces the edges of the existing coat to ensure a the number of layers to a single layer • H igh abrasion resistance: this is good overlap with the repair system. reducing man hours up to 3 times crucial for boat landings as on these compared to alternative systems. There locations coatings fail often due to the An angle grinder is very efficient in terms of is no longer the need of returning to the abrasive action of boats productivity but it does not create a rough same spot multiple times for multiple profile in contrast to a bristle blaster. Extra layers by rope-access. The expected lifetime in these conditions care should be taken not to polish the applied on minimal surface prep is more surface and the coating, which is applied• Surface tolerant: high performance on than 15 years. For optimal surface should be surface tolerant, to compensate minimally prepared surfaces by hand tool preparation (Sa2½ grit blasting). The for the lack of roughness. Humidur achieves or power tool cleaning (ISO 8501-1 St 2 lifespan of the Humidur coatings exceeds adhesion values of more than 10 MPa (1450 and St3) 30 years. psi) on this kind of surface.• C apable of curing under water: The application is carried out by Total Jobs After surface preparation the salts are immediately after application it can be Contracts Ltd by means of rope-access. removed by cleaning with fresh water. The immersed in water without any impact on Acotec, the sole manufacturer of these level of salts is checked using a Bresle test. the environment. This guarantees the coatings, trained all the painters and quality in splash zones and tidal zones or provides on-site assistance and inspection Immediately after surface preparation the when covered by rain or other climate to ensure the quality of the coating system. coating is applied. The coating is supplied conditions during curing. in 1 kg sets. This allows the applicator to Application process proceed easily by rope-access. The sets• Wide application window: it can be are simply mixed by pouring pail B into applied at cold temperatures and high As blasting is not feasible on offshore wind pail A and mixing it. No thinners, which relative humidity (up to 95%). The curing turbines, hand and power tool cleaning is have an adverse effect on the continues even at freezing temperatures the best solution for surface preparation. www.peswind.com 51

CORPORATE FOCUSenvironment, are necessary. with an alternative system. abrasion resistance to withstand the forces applied on the boat landings. As the boatThe coating is applied in one yellow layer, Inspection landings are in the splash zone/tidal zoneby brush at a thickness of 400 µm. The and come into contact with water, anotherthickness during application is checked The repairs were inspected by a certified plausible cause is that the chosen system iswith WFT gauges. As the coating is a Acotec inspector. not able to cure correctly due to water or atsolvent-free system, the wet film thickness high humidity. Another factor to take intoequals the dry film thickness. The first application of Humidur dates from account is the performance of the coating early 2015 on the meteorological mast of system on minimally prepared surfaces.Once applied, the coating is allowed to cure. the Kentish Flats. After two years theSolvent-based systems do not cure once the repairs are still in excellent condition. There Nevertheless, this coating offers a hightemperature drops below 5°C. As this curing are no signs of degradation. quality finish on these boat landingsprocess doesn’t depend on the evaporation because of its high abrasion resistance andof solvents, it cures even at freezing The boat landings are critical areas for the because it can be applied at high humidity.temperatures. Hence, it can be applied coating system on offshore wind turbines. Furthermore, it cures under waterthroughout the whole year, even in winter. The coating system is exposed to harsh disregarding its salinity without sacrificing conditions due to the abrasive action of any of its quality.Furthermore, contact with water during the the boats.process does not degrade the coatings, The inspection of the boat landings after 2which is a great benefit when applying it in Before a conventional coating was used. years proves the superiority of Humidur intidal and splash zones. There would be a Apparently, this coating was applied less these conditions. Visually the coating doesquality issue with other systems. than two years before. not show any degradation.The whole preparation and application As can be seen in the image, the grey DFT measurements were carried out andprocess can be finished in one day. There is coating does not withstand the abrading showed no decrease in thickness. In otherno need to return to the same spot to apply action exposing the steel to seawater. This words, the abrading action does not resultfor example a second or a third coat as shows the importance of selecting the right in coating loss.would remain the case for solvent-based coating system. The reason of failure couldsystems. This results in substantial cost be any of following factors or a combination. www.humidur.beand time savings. With the same budgetmore surface area can be repaired than The most straightforward explanation is www.acotec.be that the coating does not offer sufficient52 PES Wind

THE POWER OFOVERSIZE LOGISTICS www.universal-transport.comwww.peswind.com 53

THINK TANKLogistic synergies inoffshore wind projectsSynergies are better than my way or your way. It is an efficient combination and results in ourway. The last years in the offshore wind industry, which is similar to oil and gas, have shownthat each project and/or location has its own, individual logistic concept and needs anexclusively chartered vessel or even vessels. To reduce cost and increase efficiency thisconcept has to be questioned.Alternative solutions such as vessel pooling became the test areas for all kind of trials. bit by bit and leading to higher standardsor shared logistic runs might be an Starting with simple environmental and also decreased costs after the oilalternative option to establish. First experiments, on site as well as onshore and crash in 2014/15.concepts are on the trial and wind park with different types of foundations, turbinesowners are willing to forward or installation techniques. During the early stages in the wind farmingresponsibilities to their suppliers having industry, companies tended to not own ormore clients and therefore the possibility to During this pioneering time, the wind park operate their own vessels; their logisticsshare vessel cost over a few projects. owners tried to become vessel owners and were restricted to one project. This low operators as well. They soon came to the utilisation of the offshore tonnage led toLooking back to the beginning of offshore conclusion that their vessel might not be high cost. As the mobilised vessels mostlywind, specialised vessels were rare and used in a way that would be economical came from the O&G sector, they weremostly found in the oil and gas industry. and sustainable. slightly oversized. Medium sized PSVs, withThe high priced tonnage made it difficult for a deck space of more than 600sqm, were atthe wind farm owner to find an economical Even though working offshore wasn’t a a maximum half loaded and easily had thebusiness plan in other words - the whole completely new business everyone was capability to supply more than one field inindustry was pioneering its way through the working in, nobody had considered just a single run.tangle of the offshore wind jungle. drawing on the knowledge gained from oil & gas, who were the former owners of Even in the O&G market PSVs are not fullySubsidised parks were developed and soon most of the vessels. This only happened loaded and could supply more than just one54 PES Wind

THINK TANKfield. Why not use large sized PSVs and different projects. tonnage was used over various projectshave less weather restrictions? This would sharing expertise and using synergies.widen the working range to spread the These thoughts led us to our way ofcosts over more projects. Combined thinking on the current situation in the Over the last few years offshore wind haslogistic concepts are the best way to industry, which has changed in a positive proven its economic existence with pricesimprove synergy. These operational costs way. Vessels being previously owned by going below €0.05 per kW/h. The industrywere and still are costs that could be saved. wind park owners are now independent and has reached a point, where sharedThis would contribute to making our available to the market. The increase in use solutions through the whole EPCI and laterindustry more sustainable. has certainty resulted in more vessels. The the O&M of a wind farm, are absolutely growing market soon ended up with an necessary to stay sustainable and share theThroughout the rapid growing phase, oversupply. This combined with the oil economic benefit. Unfortunately there areSeaRenergy became a new member in the crisis sent charter prices plummeting, only a very few companies which combinedmarket, quickly taking the lead as a making offshore wind a much more their knowledge to save expenses andturn-key solutions’ provider. Willing to take economic industry. maintain this price level.responsibility and liability towards windpark owners, we established ourselves as a In addition to the independent owners, third Owning vessels has now moved intopartner to pioneer an innovative path party companies started to offer turn-key chartering vessels. So there are a lot oftowards logistical synergies between solutions and use offshore tonnage in a different contracts, with different more efficient way. Once again offshore subcontractors, for each task. From time to www.peswind.com 55

THINK TANKtime this does lead to miscommunication could be applied to our business and one wind park owner and would utiliseand later legal issues. Servicing any kind of transferred to the offshore tonnage market. vessels between parks.offshore structure would need 2 or more Vessel sharing, as such exists already, assubcontractors. we only pay for a vessel when using it for Operating out of one logistic hub and our own projects. serving all offshore sites seems to addFirst there is the vessel owner and second sailing time and therefore costs to some ofthe specialised company doing the job. This To push this further, the belief in a vessel the fields but spread over the different sitesalready means there are 3 parties involved pooling concept gives way to cost saving and having all equipment ready to ship fromin one project. So to cut down the number opportunities for all parties. A few vessels one place reduces costs and cuts theof necessary contacts to 1 would mean dedicated to several construction or number of contacts.smoother planned operations. The project operation sites would split the operationalleader would be a subcontractor, taking full and logistical costs over the involved Why should a wind park owner transferliability and takin away the stress form the number of sites. SeaRenergy understands responsibility and liability to a singleclient. Even though it might seem the same the risk of possible delays that might occur subcontractor?problems exist, our experience is different. but also sees the benefit of using theSeaRenergy, as a subcontractor, is able to synergies between the wind parks. We believe in sharing resources to reducepool competences and send them from operating costs and concentratingproject to project in teams. Vessel pooling and joint-ventures require knowledge, which can be delegated to high flexibility and better logistic dedicated project teams.A similar phenomenon happened in connection between the parks. Pushing thisHamburg 2 years ago. Joining knowledge forward and lowering expenses, wind park Furthermore we see the possibility of usingand resources ended up in a well-accepted owners must consider a single vessels for different tasks, resulting inresult called “car sharing” A few years back subcontractor managing all the logistics. If higher utilisation. As well as cargo runs tocar sharing was a one off. This changed this were the case, we at SeaRenergy platforms it will be possible to use vesselgreatly as soon as big companies invested would be the subcontractor for more than pooling for unplanned maintenance, cablein the concept. Nowadays you do not need repair, davit crane repair or quick visualto buy a car, nor sign any binding contracts checks. All these things will be able to bewith leasing companies. You only pay when quickly coordinated and carried out by oneyou drive or are stuck in traffic. Find your subcontractor. Our pool of vessels allowscar through an app and enjoy being able to us to act in the most efficient way butdrive within a business area. No insurance, requires transparency from the client.parking, maintenance or refuelling costs. SeaRenergy provides superior offshoreThe belief, that a sharing concept can only wind energy services in the North andbe applied to certain business areas, might Baltic Sea sees a lot of synergies. We arebe right in one way. However synergies and currently linking up to make future projectsbenefits will only be benefits can only be more efficient and to keep the renewablesfound if we combine knowledge, spread and energy sustainable.implement it. To be efficient a combinationof more than one way is a must. We are happy to discuss your project in combination with our existing projects andSustainability, in regards to power find synergies with you, because synergiesgeneration to us, does not only mean having are better than my way or your way. It is thea clean and green energy source, such as efficient combination which results in ourharvesting wind. Sustainability in our eyes way. Cost reduction and increase ofshould be seen through the whole supply efficiency is a key element in making ourchain. This starts with the onshore planning industry competitive and fit for the future.and ends with offshore construction. www.searenergy.com/We as SeaRenergy believe in the carsharing concept which, if slightly tweaked,56 PES Wind

CORPORATE FOCUSGearbox full Loadtesting - full speed,full load, fully provenDuring October 2015 Moventas Gears, the wind turbine All gearboxes serviced at Moventas gogearbox specialist headquartered in Finland, made an through a proven test run process regardlessinvestment decision, which now supports customers all off the gear type or size. This is a Moventasaround the UK and central Europe. The 3.6MW Full Load internal and essential quality standard andTest Bench & Final Assembly workshop was commissioned usually also a customer requirement.in Huddersfield, in August 2016. Supported by the UK Refurbished gearboxes that have gonegovernment, the Huddersfield upgrade was part of a through partial load or spin test can alsoRegional Growth Fund initiative. have the option to be full load tested; if there has been major component change or modifications in the design, the full load test is a must. Moventas has a range of test benches dedicated to the serial production and service workshop requirements covering kW and MW drive trains. www.peswind.com 57

CORPORATE FOCUSThe difference between full load test times long. The new 3.6MW Full Load Test markets and the range of units alreadyand partial load or spin test Bench in Huddersfield was designed serviced and load tested at Huddersfield. in-house by the gearbox engineering team Recent references include Senvion MM82 &The main purpose for the traditional full building on the experience and references MM92 platforms, Siemens SWT-2.3 platformload test run is to guarantee successful from the test benches already in use through and the Nordex N80/N90 platform. Thecomponent manufacturing, refurbishment Moventas factories in Finland and in the USA. Vestas 2MW platform gearboxes are plannedand assembly process. The test run itself is in due course followed by the SWT-3.6not to improve quality – it is a quality The main component supplier for the UK gearboxes in line with market demand.assurance process. test bench was a Swedish-Swiss corporation that specialize in electrical Test bench design is based on vastA commonly used procedure for full or switchgear, control & automation experiencepartial load test is two gearboxes mounted equipment. It took approximately sixback to back and applied with nominal months to build & commission the test Moventas Technology Center in Jyväskylä,turbine load. With the spin test the basic bench and MW Final Assembly workshop. Finland, researches the dynamic behaviourprincipal of testing is to mount the gearbox of gearbox components and enablesand spin it with a motor coupling to the The provision of the Full Load Test Bench testing of a wind turbine gearbox up to 10high-speed pinion. within the Huddersfield MW Final Assembly MW. Prototype units are tested under all workshop offers full MW servicing and load conditions to qualify their noise andDuring full load test the new or refurbished gives customers the ability to witness their vibration performance.gearing will “wear in’’, generating micro gearbox on the test bench, engage withparticles into the oil. This is a normal local Moventas operations and engineering The engineers also perform extensivefeature. Regardless of the testing method teams and ensure pain free, reliable and modal impact testing to ensure thatused, a customised fine filtering system is efficient installation up-tower thereafter. resonances of a gearbox do not match theused to meet the required oil cleanliness. excitation frequencies of the surroundingThe ’’Wear in’’ feature will not occur during “I am proud to say that the UK wind structure or gear mesh frequencies.the partial load or spin test so it is essential industry can really benefit from our highly Detailed prototype test runs are alwaysto have offline filtering installed to the gear qualified service team, experienced in the verified by type testing. Tests arewhen taking it into the operation. service and repair of gearboxes for all conducted to improve product reliability, makes of MMW wind turbines”, comments but also to comply with ever stricterFirst test bench in the UK Chairman of the Moventas Board, Jim demands from today’s wind turbine McColl of Clyde Blowers. manufactures and regulatory agencies.Wind gear services globally are facinglogistics challenge; transporting gearboxes Moventas is pleased with the demand from As gearboxes are specifically designed toto factories creates costs and makes lead both local UK and continental European withstand the most extreme weather58 PES Wind

CORPORATE FOCUSPhoto of 3D model of the new 3.6MW Full Load Test Bench in Huddersfield, UK, Moventas is the first gearbox service partner in the UK to provide multi-megawattdesigned by Moventas. full load testing, which is an essential part of most gearbox service operations. From now on, serviced gearboxes no longer need to be sent to mainland Europe for testing, which minimises logistics costs and the carbon footprint.conditions, in addition to wind gears’ • Vibration levels gearbox life on existing fleets, innovate withconventional prototype testing, Moventas new gearbox technology for nextprovides gearbox qualification with a • Sound power levels generation turbines and drive down O&Mreliability test under severe ambient costs to reduce the total cost of ownership.conditions in the climate chamber (-45 to • Oil cleanliness+80°C) on both sub-system and component Craig Joneslevels. This includes simulation of extreme • Temperatures Sales Director UK&Iconditions as well as an accelerated o Lubrication systemendurance test at elevated loads. o Bearings For more information, please contact: Craig Jones, [email protected],Quality control measurements are the key • Lubrication Tel: +44 (0)7764 967 180. o PressuresDedicated Condition Monitoring Systems o Functionality www.moventas.com(CMS) are installed on all test benches tomonitor, report and allow analysis of • Possible leakages Moventas is a new energy technologyhundreds of signals and overall gearbox expert and service provider.performance. Gearbox OEM test • Gear Contact Patterns Moventas’ technology strives toprotocols in addition to Moventas’ lower the cost of energy across theenhanced testing regimes ensure that the Similarly, to test bench CMS, the Moventas lifecycle of renewable energyunits on test by far exceed minimum IEC CMaS Condition Management System is generation, from superior gearboxstandards levels and are fully prepared for used world-wide to provide 24/7 design and manufacture to extensiveinstallation up-tower. performance monitoring and asset after sales service for most gearbox management across its own portfolio of brands. Moventas is part of ClydeKey features and parameters during the full gearboxes and the multi-brand drive trains. Blowers Capital.load testing: Moventas UK’s field service team routinely performs a wide range of up-tower inspection and service repairs and upgrades. Moventas’ objective is to extend www.peswind.com 59

PES ESSENTIAL Hydraulic solutions for offshore wind The world of high-pressure hydraulics is constantly in motion. Within this dynamic the Dutch hydraulics specialist Holmatro is continuously developing high-quality solutions for industrial applications. After more than 50 years’ experience as a supplier to the shipbuilding and oil & gas industries, Holmatro developed the first TP levelling set in 2009, used in the construction of the Belgian offshore wind farm Belwind. The set proved to be so successful that they were also used during the construction of subsequent offshore wind farm projects, such as Walney, London Array, Westermost Rough, Dudgeon and many more.60 PES Wind

PES ESSENTIAL‘Holmatro is in constant consultation withboth users and owners during installation,making sure operations run smoothly andwithout any complications.’Since the introduction of the TP levelling set possible to use relatively small andin 2009, Holmatro has significantly compact cylinders, which make it ideal forexpanded its product range for offshore these applications, as available space is awind applications. Besides hydraulic key point during construction. Oncesolutions to level wind turbine foundations, perfect horizontal levelling is achieved, thethe company has proven itself in the field of TP is fixed in place by means of hydraulicTP fixation, jacket fixation, cutting fixation cylinders. Grout is poured into theapplications, seafastening equipment and hollow space between the TP and MP toskidding solutions. Holmatro tools are also permanently anchor the two elements toused for lifting, weighing and levelling each other. During the curing process, theoffshore platforms, the calibration of cylinders keep the elements precisely intension-leg platform (TLP) load cells and are position, regardless of weather conditions.integrated on pipe-laying vessels to support Another method of installing is by meansheavy lifting and moving applications. of flange connection. Holmatro can also help at this point by providing a specialTP levelling and fixation solution for pre-tensioning the bolts by using torque tools.Wind turbine foundations consist of twolarge steel structures: a monopile (MP) that Time is of the essence for our clients.is driven into the seabed and a transition Holmatro is in constant consultation withpiece (TP) that is placed on top of the MP both users and owners during installation,for accessibility and final alignment. When making sure operations run smoothly andpositioning a TP on a MP special custom- without any complications. This means themade cylinders are used. The Holmatro job is done in a safe and controlled manner,cylinders have an enormous lifting saving them valuable time throughout thiscapacity and operate on 720 bar. By whole process.making use of a high-pressure system it is www.peswind.com 61

PES ESSENTIALSeafastening was a six-legged jacket structure with a on the oil platform. Holmatro supplied 64 total weight of 2,400 tons. For support cylinders for the TLP system, each with aSeafastening solutions are used when purposes during construction, Holmatro capacity of 536 tons. In addition to thetransporting MPs, TPs and related installation delivered 400 tons double-acting pulling cylinders, the corresponding control andequipment overseas to a wind farm. Many cylinders. 150 ton double-acting cylinders storage for the hydraulic system was alsoyears ago, Holmatro designed the first were used to anchor and position the six delivered. And the required documentationseafastening systems suitable for extreme legs of the structure. was drawn up in line with the legalconditions for Seajacks and GeoSea. requirements for the offshore platform.Holmatro has been improving and co- Load-cell calibrationdeveloping new types of systems ever since. The Snorre oil field is located in the Roller box liftingHolmatro designed and patented a double- Norwegian North Sea, 200 km from theacting locknut cylinder especially for this coast. One of the platforms, the Snorre A, One of the main characteristic features of aapplication, which allows the object to be is anchored (TLP) to the seabed with steel pipe-laying vessel is the “stinger”. Rollerfixed and released in a controlled manner and cables. In order to retain, measure and boxes are designed to carry the weldedcan even be used for alignment purposes. monitor the pre-tensioning of the cables, pipeline on the stinger and support it into theHolmatro also has its fair share of fixating each leg of the platform includes water. For this reason they have to besystems for Hydrohammers and Noise constructions that are fitted with load-cells. adjustable in different height positions,Mitigation Systems. These load cells are periodically re- according to the calculated allowable calibrated. This is done by lifting the weight bending curve. Standard steel pullingLifting, weighing and levelling of the platform off the load cells. The cylinders turned out to be too heavy for the cylinders and accompanying products had crew to handle, since they had to beCNGS Group installed the topside of the to meet an enormous package of relocated quite often. In cooperation withLAM-E Platform in the Caspian Sea, requirements due to the harsh conditions Allseas, Holmatro designed an easy tooffshore Turkmenistan in August 2016. handle lightweight aluminium pulling cylinder.After completing the construction of the It is now safer and easier to set the height ofLAM-E topside the 2,400 m offshore the roller boxes on Allseas’ vessels.platform needed to be transported to herlocation in the Caspian Sea. Once in situ,the topside had to be levelled on the jacketconstruction. Because the total weight ofthe topside was unknown at the start ofthe project, CNGS required an integratedweighting function in the cylinders with atotal capacity of 4,000 tons. Holmatrodeveloped 500 ton cylinders withintegrated pressure transmitters. Thepressure transmitters were connected to aportable data logger using measuringcables. To level the topside on the jacketconstruction, Holmatro produced 150 tonpulling cylinders.Holmatro cylinders are regularly usedduring the construction of offshoreplatforms to lift, weigh, or level theplatforms or parts thereof. For example, forthe jacket construction of the Wikinger windfarm substation, the substation foundation62 PES Wind

PES ESSENTIAL‘Together with Holmatro’s global sales and service dealer network - fully trained in Holmatro’s owntraining centre – we guarantee the same Holmatro standard of quality and a perfect after sales service for all our products all around the globe.’Topside Lifting System (TLS) execute these operations themselves in a controlled and safe manner. Due to theDuring the construction of the world’s modular setup of this system and itslargest lifting vessel, the “Pioneering Spirit”, components the possibilities are endless.the need arose for extra support for the Therefor it is “the” must have when itlifting system to allow safe dismantling, comes to any kind of horizontalinstallation and transport of large drilling displacement of heavy loads offshore.platforms. To compensate for the interplay offorces, the inner supports (Inboard Support) Dutch quality and reliabilityof the 16 lifting beams (TLS beams) wereequipped with 52 (grey coloured) Holmatro Holmatro products are developed,cylinders, each with a lifting capacity of 280 manufactured and tested in-house. Thetons. The cylinders, classified by Lloyd’s result: traditional Dutch quality, durability,Register, were coated with offshore-grade reliability and solidness. Essential to allsurface treatments, which made them Holmatro products is the control ofsuitable for use in the most extreme immense power. You must be able to relyconditions. High-grade composite bearings on that for every application under anywere included in the design, in order to circumstances. To ensure this, regularprevent metal to metal contact in the maintenance and periodic certification iscylinders, thus increasing durability. essential; as well as the deliberate and safe use of your hydraulic equipment. WorkingSkidding systems safely is not only more efficient but also contributes to the increased lifespan of theNowadays available deck space is a high tools. Our tools are high quality andpriority amongst the installation companies. extremely durable, not least because of ourThis in combination with the desire to take extensive service program.on more load in one go, plus the evergrowing dimensions of TPs and MPs, has (Inter)national sales networkcreated a need for proper and innovativesolutions. Taking on more load often means Besides the head office in the Netherlands,putting items on deck outside the reach of Holmatro has manufacturing plants andthe crane. Once loaded and in place these sales offices in the Netherlands and theitems need to be shifted horizontally over United States. We have representativethe deck to come within reach of the crane. offices in the People’s Republic of China,Using third parties with SPMT’s to execute the United Kingdom and Poland, as well asthe work isn’t always efficient due to space, local sales engineers in Germany, Croatia,availability and operational speed. Holmatro and India. Together with Holmatro’s globalhas designed a modular skidding system sales and service dealer network - fullythat allows installation companies to trained in Holmatro’s own training centre – we guarantee the same Holmatro standard of quality and a perfect after sales service for all our products all around the globe. For more information about Holmatro and our offshore wind solutions visit us at the Offshore Wind Energy 2017 in London, booth S-M60 or at the Offshore Energy 2017 in Amsterdam, booth 1.055. www.holmatro.com www.peswind.com 63

CORPORATE FOCUS Mobile room solutions Renting accommodation, locker rooms or temporary storage space is a cost effective way of ensuring worker comfort during offshore installations. PES finds out about the ELA Container Offshore GmbH mobile room solutions, their various sizes and the different accommodation configurations available to meet customers’ requests.64 PES Wind

CORPORATE FOCUS‘This has enabled ELA to set a newstandard in the quality of living spaceand comfort.’ELA Container Offshore GmbH produces stand-alone offshorecontainers, to be used on rigs, converter platforms and all types ofseagoing vessels, pontoons and barges. The company wasfounded as a response to the growing demand for offshoreaccommodation and is very experienced due to wide variety ofprojects in the Offshore-Wind, Offshore Oil & Gas Industry andDredging Industries.Even though most large installation vessels have integratedaccommodation space within the vessel design, platforms andvessels constantly need to adjust their deck layout andaccommodation facilities according to the project, depending onthe actual number of people needed, resulting in a constantdemand for offshore accommodation. Temporary Living Quartersare an efficient, cost-effective and flexible solution for creatingadditional accommodation and work space.Thanks to the recent development of their new 33 ft. ELA OffshoreAccommodation Container, a high cube container, with two cabinsseparated by an interior hallway, ELA Offshore has been able toextend their product portfolio. This means they can offer theircustomers an even more personalised and flexible service.The new 33 ft. container was developed in close cooperation withthe customers, DNV GL and the German authorities. This hasenabled ELA to set a new standard in the quality of living spaceand comfort.In order to create a more homely feeling, the cabinets, beds andflooring were given a modern and appealing wooden-look. Theseinnovative and comfortable new units boast ensuite bathrooms, a32’’ flat screen TV, large windows and insulation for high endnoise reduction. www.peswind.com 65

CORPORATE FOCUSThe containers, equipped for 2 to 4 working offshore. Depending on the The containers have many uses. They canpersons, provide not only more space per quantity of extra accommodation needed be converted into living quarters withperson, but also an interior corridor and available space on deck, we can shared sanitary units, offices, lockerbetween the two living cabins, eliminating provide our clients with the best and most rooms, drying rooms, fitness rooms andthe need for gangways. Despite their size efficient mobile accommodation solution,” coffee rooms.and high-end accommodation, the weight said Hans Gatzemeier, Managing Directordoesn’t exceed 9.5t, which is a crucial of ELA Container Offshore, after the launch These 20 ft. accommodation containers areelement, as most platform cranes are of the new accommodation container. built based on ISO 20 ft. high cube-unable to lift more than 10t. container and with a very light tare weight In addition to the new 33 ft. container, of 7.7t, ELA Container Offshore can provide24 of these new containers have already the ELA Offshore product portfolio solutions that are flexible and easilybeen built at the ELA Offshore premises in already includes several well-known adaptable, which can also be stacked up toHaren, Germany and are currently container models, available in different four high and horizontally linked to makeoperational on a converter station located designs and dimensions. The most them into larger rooms. Additional stairwaysin the German North Sea, where their frequently used containers are the and gangways can be connected to alltechnicians and supervisors are completing company’s 20 ft. accommodation containers to save space on board.the installation work. containers. These accommodation containers can be transformed into If it is not possible for the containers to be‘’With this new type we offer more various accommodation solutions. connected to an on board wastewaterpossibilities of accommodating people system, the company offers additional66 PES Wind

CORPORATE FOCUSwaste water tanks useable for all kinds of ELA Container Offshore places high value ELA Offshore Containers are individuallyoffshore units such as platforms, vessels, on safety. Hence, the decision to equip customised according to need, immediatelyjack-ups and ships. These wastewater every container with fire extinguishers, 2 X operational and are available at shorttanks are easily stackable, extendable by a A60 outer doors, standard smoke detectors notice.modular system and quickly joined to any and HVAC units with fire dampers.ELA Offshore Multipurpose Room. Furthermore, the containers are built with In order to ensure the best quality at all A60 fire protection walls, roofs and thermal, times, every container is checked beforeAlong with offshore accommodation insulated floors. delivery.containers and additional accessories, ELAContainer Offshore offers a wide range of Most importantly, the containers possess Since its founding in 2014, the companycargo carrying units. Their range includes, all necessary certification such as DNV has leased out over 470 offshore unitsnext to bottle racks, offshore storage 2.7-1 / EN 12079-1, DNV 2.7-2, based on worldwide and has 120 units in stock at allcontainers, offshore open top containers, SOLAS, IMO FSS Code and MLC, as well time, in order to ensure fast and flexiblereefer containers and half height as CSC and are approved by several delivery.containers, which are all available in both IACS-companies. In addition, the new 33 ft.10 ft. and 20 ft. dimensions. containers have DNV 2.7-3 for portable For availability please call: +49 5932 offshore units. 7323-500 mail: [email protected] transport of every container from theELA Container Offshore product portfolio www.ela-offshore.com.can be organised to any destinationaround the world. Trucks are used from theGerman production site to any Europeanport, from where it’s possible to deliverworld-wide via containership.Pre-assembly at the production facility inGermany, results in less time and moneyspent on the final assembly, so it is possibleto install up to 30 containers per day.Turnkey delivery is a plus, ELAprofessionals are available to assist orcomplete assembling and disassemblingfor any project, wherever the location. Theydeliver an all-round service, savingcustomers as much time and stress aspossible - from equipping them to clientspecifications, assembly by employeestrained for working offshore, to arrangingcontainer certification.All ELA units are available for both sale andrent and are “Made in Germany”, accordingto German quality standards. Added to this, www.peswind.com 67

TALKING POINTTorqueing and recording itWhat is torqueing and why is it important to be able to record condition, there is an extreme danger thatit? PES finds out from Norbar, the torque tool specialists. the application may fail due to the overstress of the joint.In this context, torqueing is principally the tools to finish the job. In the turbine towermeasured application of rotational force to for example, an operative may need one So, just what is the solution? There is aa threaded fastener. When the torque is tool to run down the bolts plus a hydraulic clear need for a tool that will tighten boltseither under or over the manufacturer’s wrench to achieve final torque. Using these accurately to the required torque, auditspecification, it can cause considerable two tools present a number of potential pre-tightened bolts, and can then recorddamage to the turbine structure. Protecting complications, particularly regarding ease this data is needed.against this risk should be of primary of operation and manoeuvrability.importance so the health and safety of Subsequently health and safety is a Such a solution does exist and in a singleoperatives and the life expectancy of the significant concern. Therefore having the tool. Norbar’s EvoTorque®2 enables the userturbine are safeguarded. ability to record the torque data from to, accurately and reliably torque bolts; tightened joints for audit purposes would generate a record to confirm the fact; andThe extent of the damage from inaccurately be a distinct benefit. provide complete traceability for Operationsapplied torque can vary substantially. The & Maintenance teams and their clients.potential for vibrations occurring in the Furthermore, when triggering electricturbine is perhaps the most crucial multipliers on pre-tightened bolts, a In response to customer feedback fromtechnical implication of over or under dangerous over-torque can occur due to many industries Norbar has added datatorque. Any vibration presents a real risk of the slow response time of controllers, high memory and transfer capabilities and auditcalamitous failure. motor start currents and high motor mode to the features and benefits of the inertias. In some instances, this over-torque original EvoTorque tool. The outcome,Maintenance operatives across many can be in the region of 100 percent. When EvoTorque2, is a product capable ofwindfarms need to use an assortment of triggered multiple times in this type of incredible control in tough conditions. Where bolts have not previously been tightened it will deliver torque values with68 PES Wind

TALKING POINTan accuracy of ±3 percent. Where torque is change as a result of ambient temperature tool’s memory. These can be downloadedre-applied to a pre-tightened bolt results or motor temperature, thus enabling to a PC with a USB cable or transferredare within ±5 percent of set torque. numerous joints to be tightened wirelessly via Bluetooth® Smart for analysis successively with trusted results assured. at a later date.When performing a retightening test, theEvoTorque2 also demonstrated a clear Power on windfarm sites is usually provided Torque, Torque & Angle, and Audit are theadvantage whereby, when triggered 18 by small generators with long cable runs, three modes of operation. The first twoconsecutive times on an already tightened this raises concerns about the quality of the enable users to select torque only or abolt, it achieved a total accumulated power supply. The implication is that most combined torque & angle target respectively.over-torque of around 15-20 percent of the electric tools either will not run or their The new Audit mode permits the checking ofset torque; depending on the hardness of torque output becomes erratic. EvoTorque2 pre-tightened bolts, and thus ascertains ifthe joint. Undertaking so many consecutive tools are largely immune from the effects of the bolt was previously under-torqued, andapplications using traditional electric tools voltage fluctuation due to its motor what change has occurred, beforewould almost certainly result in failure of controller technology; the tool will either run retightening the joint as needed.either the tool or bolt. EvoTorque2 can accurately or indicate that the voltage isprovide more reliable torque results than outside of tolerance. Up to 12 user IDs can be downloaded toconventional tools, thus eliminating the EvoTorque2 and results stored againstneed for a hydraulic wrench to complete New complimentary PC software, EvoLog individual users, a helpful control wherefinal torqueing. facilitates data management and tool tools are shared across multiple users, e.g. configuration with a multitude of benefits. different shifts. Work IDs, that is specificThe output of most electric motors reduces Every torque and angle value that targets i.e. torque, or torque & angle, canas the motor temperature increases with EvoTorque2 applies can be recorded with a be set up e.g. for a specific nacelle or baseuse, resulting in less accurate torque corresponding date and time stamp. Up to bolt. Up to 12 work IDs can be put in a workvalues. EvoTorque2 accuracy will not 3,000 such readings can be stored in the group and up to 5 work groups can also be set up. This enables audits of not just the bolts of a single tower to be performed easily, but of all the towers in a windfarm, and even the bolts across multiple farms. Independent tests Additionally, in independent tests and calibrations conducted across a number of Spanish windfarm sites; EvoTorque2 achieved the OK/PAA/APPROVAL standard. This makes them the only electric multipliers permitted for use to perform final torque on a number of windfarm sites. Also EvoTorque2 features a third party verified sound pressure which does not exceed 70 dB (A) and a vibration level of 0.304 m/s² which significantly reduces any possibility of medical or health and safety related issues such as hearing loss or White Finger, during use. Both products are available in 110V and 230V versions and crucially are weather sealed to IP44. The range covers requirements from 100 N·m to 7,000 N·m although the 2,000 N·m tool satisfies most windfarm applications. The products can be serviced and calibrated locally through a growing network of international Norbar distributors who have a great deal of wind industry experience. www.norbar.com/en-gb/ www.peswind.com 69

PES ESSENTIALA leading light foroffshore safetyPES invited award-winning Scottish technology companyPhotoSynergy Ltd (PSL) to give us an insight in to their suiteof new products, produced in response to industry ledrequests to find practicable, cost-effective solutions in avariety of sectors where safety of life is paramount.The company, in collaboration with a The light is engaged automatically when the He said: “Combining Seatooth technologynumber of key technology partners, diver or the ROV comes within 5m of a with the LIGHTPATH™ product increasescontinues its focus on increased safety and structure, and provides instant illumination the capability of LIGHTPATH™. This is mostproductivity through innovative forms of of subsea architecture and delineating significant in terms of battery utilisationillumination based broadly on its ground- features such as control valves, docking where LIGHTPATH™ is only illuminated asbreaking LIGHTPATH™ technology, a fibre bays and even the outline of the structure required operating either in a flashing orlighting system offering an innovative itself against the natural darkness of the continuous operation. By integrating thetechnical solution. underwater environment. It switches off two products, we have produced a much automatically when the diver or the ROV more convenient and efficient method forIn January this year, PSL and Livingston- departs the scene, and has the ability to act lighting a challenging environment with nobased WFS Technologies launched the as a proximity warning system when physical contact required from a distanceSeatooth LIGHTPATH™, an on-demand approaching installations, other divers, of five metres. The subsea environment iswireless ribbon lighting system designed to ROVs or danger areas. The unit has been an intrinsically dangerous place where it isrevolutionise diver safety and efficiency in successfully tested in the lab, and plans are easy to become disoriented, so theremote subsea locations. The system is a in place to trial it in subsea conditions Seatooth LIGHTPATH™ is a very significantcombination of two advanced technologies within the next few months. development in safety.”– WFS’s Seatooth, a subsea wirelesscommunication system that can download PSL director Don Walker said the WFS Technologies is the world leader inand log information gathered on subsea companies had joined forces in a bid to find Subsea Internet of Things (SIoT) – subseainstallations remotely and PSL’s a solution to an industry request for a wireless automation solutions to increaseLIGHTPATH™, a side-emitting flexible fibre remote switching system to remove the uptime and reduce asset managementthat projects a continuous line of light that need for physical contact, which would costs. With more than 90 patent applicationscarries no electrical power – and works for save subsea operational companies time filed in Europe and the US, WFS productsboth diver and ROV operators, working either and money, increase productivity and avert deliver cost savings and new capabilities tonear surface, or at depths of up to 3,000m. potential damage to ROV and structures. the energy and environment, homeland70 PES Wind

PES ESSENTIAL‘With more than 90 patentapplications filed in Europe and theUS, WFS products deliver costsavings and new capabilities to theenergy and environment, homelandsecurity and defence industries.’security and defence industries. Chairman Ltd is a world leader in the design, for an additional piece of safety equipmentBrendan Hyland, said: “This is a further manufacture, supply and installation of Ex to the standard hat light. The SLS3000 willexample of the ‘Subsea Internet of Things’, and Safe Area Control Systems, for use the existing hat light connection towhere intelligent devices automatically applications where both hazardous and power both the hat light and fibre from thecommunicate with one another wirelessly, non-hazardous conditions exist. rear of the diver’s head to the umbilical andimproving efficiency and safety.” back up the umbilical for some 60m, clearly “The development of the ATEX-Approved identifying the diver’s head to ROV PilotsMeanwhile, PSL has also been developing a LIGHTPATH™ has been in the pipeline for and others in the subsea environment.further two new products designed to help a number of years following a request byimprove the safety of workers operating in a number of companies for a product “Working with both JCE Group (UK) Ltd andindustries such as subsea and nuclear. The which could be used to light escape Greco Developments Ltd had been anATEX-Approved LIGHTPATH™ unit and the routes, and operations in confined space excellent learning and developmentLIGHTPATH™ Hat Light were designed by working extending LIGTHPATH into opportunity,” explained Don.PSL in collaboration with Aberdeen-based potentially explosive and challengingJCE Group (UK) Ltd and Greco environments both on the surface and in “Working alongside the teams at both theseDevelopments Ltd respectively. the water,” said Don. companies has greatly enhanced our capabilities and have mirrored ourThe fully patented ATEX-approved unit took “This will include offshore platforms experiences to date working witha number of years to design and build, and lighting difficult to access areas such as organisations with supportive skilled andincorporates the LIGHTPATH™ into a spider decks, supplying a continuous line knowledgeable employees willing toflameproof box. It will have a range of of light to clearly delineate escape routes contribute positively. We would very muchapplications in a number of sectors where and vessels operating within close hope that we can continue to develop morethere may be a risk of fire and/or explosion, proximity of platforms.” such collaborations in the months andincluding nuclear stations, petrochemical years to come as we grow the companyplants and offshore installations. Based in The LIGHTPATH™ Hat Light – or SLS3000 and its products.”Blackburn, Aberdeenshire, JCE Group (UK) - was developed by Don, who saw the need www.peswind.com 71

PES ESSENTIALSeatooth LIGHTPATH‘While companies are of applications from guide path illumination designed to make this easier and more costcutting budgets and through to the extremes of challenging, effective is needed now more than ever.making cost savings, hazardous and submerged environments. The industry and the opportunities itinvestment in new creates are always unpredictable, but thattechnologies has never Simple yet highly effective, the versatility is what motivates us and keeps the workbeen more important, of LIGHTPATH™ means that it can be used interesting. What drives us as a team is theparticularly as the for a wide range of applications, from science behind the innovation, which hasrecovery of oil and gas guide path illumination through to the been fully supported by the University. Thehas become extremes of challenging, hazardous and science underpins the product and, asincreasingly difficult in submerged environments. academics, the team is always looking atever deeper waters.’ ways in which to develop the product,” To date, PSL has primarily targeted the continued Don.PSL has its origins in scientific research subsea sector, using the technology toundertaken at the University of St Andrews’ illuminate saturation diver umbilicals, “We may be a small company, but we havePhotonics Innovation Centre, based in the enhancing safety and productivity for all a big support network through the School ofUniversity’s School of Physics and parties, including the individual diver, Physics and Astronomy, as well as the widerAstronomy. The core team comprises Don, colleagues in the water, the bell-man and University and, because of this, we can offeran experienced project engineer in giving confidence to the ROV pilot as to the a range of practical engineered solutionsoptical-mechanical product design, location of diver umbilicals. This awareness which are so important to industry.chairman Professor Malcolm Dunn, a for ROV pilots of the route of the umbilicalrecognised photonics expert, and Graham has been an important development in “Being asked to create bespoke solutionsMiller, a physics-led engineer with minimising the risk of collision and can pushes us to take PSL even further, and weexperience in laser design and manufacture. significantly reduce the incidence of get a lot of satisfaction from helping umbilical snagging. businesses work towards solving a specificPSL has developed a range of patented problem through a new, practicableproducts, which can be used for a wide range The company’s aim is to turn the solution. We are very excited to develop LIGHTPATH™ concept into a global new products to address opportunities to commercial product allowing it to become enhance subsea operations both in terms part of the broad and growing domestic of safety and efficiency and we can, we upstream oil and gas supply chain. believe, find applications in many operational scenarios many of which we are “While companies are cutting budgets and ignorant of; however, exposure to a wider making cost savings, investment in new experienced knowledge base will allow for technologies has never been more the joint development of new applications.” important, particularly as the recovery of oil and gas has become increasingly difficult in www.photosynergy.co.uk ever deeper waters. Innovative technology72 PES Wind

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TALKING POINTA new bottleneck to come?Words: Kurt E. ThomsenI know what you are thinking, right now In the early years I was frequently asked to installing the turbines and foundations inyou may be considering installing an give a quote for how much it would cost to the first place. So once again we hit aoffshore windfarm and here I am telling remove an offshore turbine, my answer was bottleneck in terms of installation capacity.you about the problems of getting rid of simple, the same plus inflation as it would You may argue that the older and smallerthe thing again. cost to install it. This is partly the answer, vessels could do that and you are right, however a significant number of costs will only a number of them have already goneBut! occur which we did not foresee when we out of service, so also are the two vessels I were originally asked. originally designed and built. Therefore thisThe topic is relevant whether you are will be an issue to deal with. A simpleinstalling a windfarm, nearing an end to Firstly, the sheer number of turbines, which addition of the turbines and foundations tothe operational life, or actually in the have to be removed, will make a significant be decommissioned in any given year onprocess of preparing the decommissioning impact to the port where you have to top of the turbines and foundations to beof the windfarm. unload them. For the Danish and German installed, will give you the actual size of the North Sea, Esbjerg seems a good bet. But problem. And it is significant.Why, you might ask, is this relevant, the here we still be installing new turbines in theremoval of the wind turbines is actually the years to come and thus the space will be Thirdly, removing the foundations is areverse operation of installing it or not? expensive to book and scarce in availability. challenge. Most people think it is as simple as cutting them at or below seabed level.The answer is that this is actually not the Secondly, the vessels which have to However, this is neither cheap, fast norcase. And as usual the devil is in the detail. de-install the turbines and foundations are effective. I have tried cutting monopilesHere are the reasons. the same – by and large – as those offshore before and this was certainly a74 PES Wind

TALKING POINTcost to be considered. Cutting 80 To my knowledge no technology exists such as fiberglass from blades andfoundations is hugely expensive and takes which can efficiently remove the cables from housings as well as carbon fibre froma long time. the seabed. And if there were so, it would be blades if built in. very time consuming and expensive.Furthermore, the German authorities and Port logisticsthe OSPAR convention members are of the Taking down substations may or may notopinion that the piles should be removed be required immediately, as they can be The first problem you should consider isentirely if possible, so cutting may not be reused for a new windfarm with the same that there is no facility today which canan option. Fortunately the technology is output but with less and bigger turbines. safely, swiftly and cost effectively recyclethere and it is cheaper than cutting the But if this is the case, the same logic 80 turbines, 80 foundations, 100+ kmpiles, much more environmentally friendly applies and again a cost and availability cables and the bits and pieces. Theand relatively simple to perform. item for the safe decommissioning of these scrapping facilities in ports are not geared structures must be considered. for this business and the sheer amount ofThen there is the issue with removing the steel going through will require handlingcables. Leaving them in the seabed is not an Port logistics and recycling of material facilities of considerable size. Furthermore,option. As an example, the Crown Estate has most of the scrap yards today, althoughrequested that pipelines buried 60cm or less The wind turbines consist of many different certainly holding the relevant certificates,below the seabed must be removed entirely. materials and though most of them are are not geared towards the level ofThis will also apply to the cables and the harmless, in the sense they are dealt with in documentation required by the industry. Imattresses and other artificial scour a large number of recycling facilities, there see this as a major problem. Firstly theprotection which has been used previously. is a problem with some of the materials, scrap is expensive to get rid of – anyone www.peswind.com 75

TALKING POINTthinking they will make money from huge cost. Furthermore, getting rid of the first. Pulling the cables out seems a neatscrapping a windfarm should reconsider carbon fibre is problematic as well, as this solution, but the cables won’t allow for– handling the components over large must be disposed in a special facility, much pulling force. They were notdistances is not an option, the nearest provided it can be reused, which is doubtful. designed for this and the cables will rip atsuitable facility will be the only relevant one low tension.from a cost perspective alone. Handling foundations seem to be the least of a problem, but this is not actually the So getting the cables out of the groundHandling fiberglass is difficult. The blades case. The size and numbers make it difficult present a challenge. Once out, they must bewill have to be cut down in length and then to cut them rapidly enough in order to get cut, in say 24m lengths and then freightedshredded into coin size bits and thereafter rid of the scrap fast and efficiently. The back to shore. The outer skin must beburned in a special incinerator which can grouted connection between monopole and removed and so must the double helix steelhandle this type of material. In Germany transition piece will have to be separated reinforcement. Both operations are requiredthere are two or three facilities, in Denmark and the process is time consuming. The and the outcome is getting rid of low valueand the UK there are none! The German most obvious solution is to cut the scrap material. The cupper or aluminium coresfacilities can only handle a few hundred with a large scissor and excavator. But the must then be extracted and again this is atons each – per year – and they are located steel dimension is 50mm or more, plus difficult process requiring special tools andaround the country and not necessarily at a concrete, so this is not cheap or fast either. handling facilities.port where we decommission turbines. I recently spoke to a specialist in recycling Once the high value material is retrieved,Therefore getting rid of the considerable of materials on a large scale and he thought the cost has been considerable and myamounts of fiberglass shreds is a big problem. that he would probably be able to generate guess is that a break even at best is what a profit for the customer when scrapping can be achieved.Even worse if the blades are composite and the cables. However, as the discussionhave carbon fibre as part of the developed, he reconsidered and his The points to be considered are:construction. The carbon fibre cannot and predicted projection was that this would notmay not be burned and must be stripped out be the case. 1. E quipment and people offshore toof the fiberglass before shredding. It is remove the windfarm. The relative cost isalmost unnecessary to state that this is a The cables must be dug out of the ground the same or higher than for installing the windfarm in the first place. The vessels76 PES Wind

TALKING POINT ‘There seems to me to be cause for great concern, the windfarm owners will have to stack up much larger bonds in order to deal with this issues when time comes and I am convinced that a lot of wheeling and dealing will be tried in order to circumvent this – at least it seems to me to be – massive unknown cost and handling issue.’ which can perform this work are already the speed at which you remove the Even internally in Germany, bringing in use and the level of documentation on windfarm may very well outperform the material back from the EWZ into German HSE and Q will be exactly the same as capability of the processing plant to get ports has a big tax issue attached to it. So when installing the windfarm. Thus the rid of the material. whoever thought this would be easy will cost will be high. have to think again. It won’t. 5. Port and transport logistics seem to be2. T he standard to which the components an issue as well. Transporting scrap over Conclusion have to be removed will be significantly large distances by road is a no go. It is more onerous than previously simply too expensive. Having looked into the problematic for expected. Leaving parts in the water is some time now, talking to the people who not an option. 6. T he documentation which is required by have actually scrapped a few turbines and the owners of the windfarm may prevent listening to their concerns and talking to3. F acilities onshore are few and cannot most of the potential facilities to carry people who have recycling as their receive and process the difficult out the work. They are not geared business, I have scratched the surface of components in the large amounts which towards this type of operation and this problem. are going to be the case. Further, the documentation level. ability to process carbon or fibre glass is There seems to me to be cause for great not just for everyone to do. You require a Bonus treat concern, the windfarm owners will have to specialised processing plant and the stack up much larger bonds in order to deal accompanying permits to do so. Not Of course I have saved the best to last. with this issues when time comes and I am many are about and they are not where Cross border transport of waste. All the red convinced that a lot of wheeling and dealing we would ideally want them to be. flags are up at the authorities. Scrapping will be tried in order to circumvent this – at British carbon fibre blades in Germany is a least it seems to me to be – massive4. P rocessing the materials is much more major paper hassle. You are now exporting unknown cost and handling issue. complicated than expected. The and importing toxic waste…… And the numbers, the sizes and the complexities same applies the other way around or For the entrepreneurial mind-set, there is of the scrap prevent non specialized anywhere else for that matter. It will be definitely an opportunity to be made in this facilities to bid for the work. Furthermore, interesting to see how this will be dealt with. sector and guess what? It’s just around the corner. www.peswind.com 77

ASK THE EXPERTSPerformance TransparencyProject Harald Hohlen, Senior Wind Measurement Specialist at ROMO Wind, caught up with PES to talk to us about the improvements in the iSpin technology and the Performance Transparency Project, which will provide data to the whole of the wind industry.Harald Hohlen misalignment. Now more and more, the PTP is one of the largest and most iSpin system is being used as a precise and systematic demonstration projects for aPES: Welcome back to PES Wind accurate measurement tool, for evaluating wind measurement system so far. The planmagazine. Thanks for talking with us. site conditions and turbine performance is to install and evaluate iSpin systems, on aFor the benefit of our new readers, behaviour. total of around 90 wind turbines, in 9would you like to begin by explaining a different wind farms. 3 different turbinelittle about the background of your PES: We have been hearing about your types will be evaluated on 3 different terrainorganisation and how you currently Performance Transparency Project, can types, such as flat, semi-complex, complexserve the wind industry? you tell us what this is? or offshore.Harald Hohlen: Thank you for this HH: The Performance Transparency At each of the wind farms one met mast, oropportunity. ROMO Wind is a service Project which we call PTP aims to lidar system, will be used for at least 12provider with the focus on performance demonstrate the ability of the iSpin spinner months. In doing this it will be possible totransparency and improvement. Our anemometer to measure and compare evaluate the NTF stability and the powerservices are built around the unique iSpin wind turbine performance, everywhere and performance measurement capabilitiesspinner anemometer technology, which all the time. In other words; provide over a period of time. In total about 90 windmeasures wind quantities of key transparency on performance. turbines will have their power curvesimportance where the wind flow is measured, according to IEC standardpredictable and can be reliably corrected Technically speaking we want to show the 61400-12-2 , using iSpin anemometry.– at the spinner. high robustness of the iSpin measurement regardless of terrain and wake effects. This What is unique about PTP is that the resultsOur initial services were based around the means the nacelle transfer function (NTF), will be validated by renowned independentdetection and correction of yaw which maps the free wind speed to the technical consultants and the anonymised wind speed measured with the iSpin data, reports and data analysis will be system at the spinner is stable. made freely available. The data will be available for downloading from ROMO Given this high robustness we think that the Wind’s website, by anyone in the wind iSpin technology can function as a cost industry. We hope this will inspire more effective, universal tool for verifying and research into wind turbine performance. monitoring power curves of the wind turbines. Once iSpin has been calibrated for PES: Last time you told us about the one turbine type, on flat terrain, there is no iSpin spinner anemometer technology, need for further site calibration. Then iSpin can you explain the technological becomes a tool that can be used for advances and the benefits to the end verifying and monitoring power curves, from user of the iSpin Guardian? all turbines in a wind farm and on all terrains, including offshore. HH: Sure, the iSpin spinner anemometer78 PES Wind

ASK THE EXPERTSdoes measure the wind speed and wind different terrains, with identical turbine the iSpin will bring many benefits anddirection, the yaw misalignment and the types and - as a key requirement - with insights to the customers.vertical inflow directly at the spinner. met-masts which can be made or areAdditionally air temperature and air already compliant to the power curve PES: This seems to be a costlypressure are collected. Furthermore, verification standard IEC 61400-12-1. investment, how do you intend to fundturbulence intensity, which affects the the project?center of the rotor, can be derived from the Other important points are the preparationiSpin measurements. of the iSpin installations, as well as data HH: Yes it is, but it is a worthwhileFollowing several field tests we are able to handling and of course, the selection of 3rd investment – we think not only for us, butsee that the iSpin measurements are only, party consultants to perform the also for the complete wind turbineto a very small extent, disturbed by independent data analysis and reporting. community. ROMO Wind will bear the mainchanging inflow conditions, such as wake part of the costs and of course we expecteffects. Therefore we are convinced that The Wind Energy Institute of the Technical to get rapidly growing acceptance andthe iSpin system can perform robust University of Denmark (DTU Wind Energy,) application of our iSpin systems during andmeasurements of the wind quantities as our project partner in the project, is after the project.affecting the wind turbine – not only under directly involved in the selection of the windfree flow conditions but also under 360 farms and is also responsible for any Additionally we are supported by thedegree inflow. upgrade work needed for the existing met Danish EUDP grant scheme, which is aiSpin Guardian can therefore be used to masts. Furthermore they will be responsible Danish innovation fund for technology andidentify underperforming turbines, monitor for installing the reference wind speed innovation. Last year we applied for a jointchanges in performance and quantify the measurement at one offshore site. grant with DTU Wind Energy. We are proudeffect of upgrades to the turbines. For the to say that this application was acceptedfirst time it will be possible to directly Up to now we have already selected two and seen as important for the wind industrybenchmark turbines to each other. turbine types in wind farms, covering three by the evaluation experts.PES: When is this project due to start different terrain classes. If everything goesand are the iSpin systems suitable for all well we expect to start with the first iSpin PES: How will ROMO measure theterrains – on and offshore? measurements at beginning of the 3rd success of this project?HH: The PTP actually started already quarter this year.October 2016. Currently we are in the initial HH: There will be at least two successphase where the main challenge is to Amongst these wind farms there is also an indicators. One is of course theidentify and select suitable wind farms on offshore wind farm. The iSpin system is in scientifically sound proof of the iSpin NTF principle, suitable for all terrains. We are robustness by the 3rd party consultants. AView of iSpin mounted at the rotor of a wind turbine convinced – especially for large offshore high NTF robustness will change the game, applications – that the cost-effective and in power curve evaluation and verification meaningful wind speed measurement with significantly. We are convinced that the project will create the basis for a simple, affordable and practical way of measuring performance on all wind turbines, all the time. Our ambition is that OEMs and operators will use iSpin Guardian for performance warranties. The other indicator is the growing demand by the customer, to use iSpin as a standard device for measuring and assessing the turbine performance and the site conditions, to have an even better turbine fleet. We could have started the PTP on a much smaller scale for one or two turbines per wind farm, but the real benefit will be visible when we have the comparable results from many turbines on a wind farm. PES: Why is the wind measurement of such great importance to the turbine owners? HH: Wind turbines are energy producing devices, meaning it is important for the customer and the OEM to know how efficient a turbine converts energy from the given wind conditions. www.peswind.com 79

ASK THE EXPERTSGeneral setup of Performance Transparency Project (PTP)The difficult thing is to get an objective grip Furthermore you can see that the HH: The wind industry is for goodon the performance of wind turbines. measurement characteristic does not really reasons, a conservative industry and thereQuestions like: “Does a turbine change its change when leaving the free inflow is a natural inertia to embrace newperformance characteristics over time?”, conditions. This becomes especially technologies. This combined with a low“How do the turbines perform relative to obvious when iSpin based power curves, level of trust between industryeach other?” or “Is an upgrade having the get compared with power curves, based on participants means no one trusts anythingexpected effect?” are difficult to answer. conventional nacelle anemometry. For the other than their own data. We hope PTP latter sensors the measurement can set the stage, for a quicker way to getFor customers as well as for characteristic can change significantly, market acceptance of new technologiesmanufacturers it is important to be able to meaning that such measurements only and therefore help the wind industryidentify a performance outside the deliver meaningful results when the turbine innovate faster.“normal” range and to be able to is operating under free flow conditions.differentiate between the drivers. In other PES: There have been significantwords: Is there an underperformance and PES: How does the iSpin based changes in the political landscape, withwhat is causing the underperformance? evaluation differ from more traditional BREXIT and Donald Trump in theAre the environmental conditions different SCADA methods of evaluation? Whitehouse, how do you think these willthan expected or forecasted during the affect the current trade agreements?site evaluation process and is this causing HH: The key difference to traditionalless annual energy production? Or is the SCADA methods is that iSpin wind quantity HH: The political uncertainty is clearly notturbine underperforming, due to e.g. measurements are used which are helpful for the industry but it is too earlydegradation, issues with components and undisturbed by the nacelle and predictably to say what the effects will be. So far itproblems with the turbine control or affected by the rotor. This opens the has been mostly rhetoric, with fewmisleading measurements? possibility of using data from all wind concrete actions. directions, meaning performancePES: How does iSpin compare to other comparison during the conditions the The wind industry has become a globaltechnologies when carrying out 360 turbine is actually experiencing. industry and the growth in newdegree wind measurement? installations is shifting from region to Further iSpin quantities like turbulence region. Few countries can offer a bigHH: Our evaluations and comparisons with intensity, yaw misalignment, flow inclination enough market to warrant a full supplyother technologies showed that iSpin is or air density, can be used to correct and chain. We are therefore dependent ononly, to a very small degree, affected by normalise the collected data, to improve the being able to trade between countries andterrain and wake effects. When evaluating quality of the evaluation and reduce the to trust that the trade agreements put inpower curves based on iSpin measurement uncertainty level. place will be honored. I can just hope theit becomes visible that the scatter in the politicians understand this.power curve is reduced by approximately PES: Looking to the future what are your30%, compared to other technologies. biggest challenges in the market place? www.romowind.com80 PES Wind

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TALKING POINTFrom competitor to partner– a must in the quest forsurvival and successThe market for energy has always been affected byclimate, global policies and new technologies. According toEnergy and Climate Academy, who works worldwide infurther education for the energy and climate sector, thereare changes ahead. The future parameter for success isnot another invention, but the ability to be able to processthe large amount of new information and the ability tocooperate with both knowledge centres, governmentagencies and other actors who should be considered aspartners rather than competitors.The strategic overview in the energy & targeted specifically at stakeholders in the heads, politicians and industry leaders,climate sector has been reserved for a few energy and climate sector all over the world. stated in January 2017 that approximatelyexperts in the sector. They analysed the 35 percent of the skill sets considered vitalenergy system and then communicated with ”At the Energy and Climate Academy we today will change within just 5 years.tech developers and the decision makers. specialise in developing courses forThe tech developers work from separate companies in the energy and climate sector The foundation also listed the four mostplatforms such as companies or universities. globally. With this in in mind we have important skills, necessary to handle and established an extensive contact network in adapt to the changes of the future, knownA wind turbine producer’s closest knowledge and education institutions, as the 4 C’s or the 21st century skillset:competitor, at the moment, is other wind companies and organisations, in a numberturbine producers and then come all the of countries. It’s during exchanges, with a • Creativity – to create and innovate, haveother energy sources such as solar, bio fuel long list of competent professionals, when ideas, be inventive, learn fromand traditional fossil fuels. But in the future, we discover needs, when we develop both experiences and be original.the closest competitor will be other nationally and internationally, that I see therenewable energy sources and not just the potential for more communication and • Collaboration – cooperation, participateother wind turbine manufacturer. sharing of knowledge in the energy and equally in processes, be responsible, climate sector.” says Torben. stay openSimply put, the way the development – orthe work distribution – in the energy and Torben Kierkegaard’s observations in the • Critical thinking – relate to the real world,climate sector today, both nationally and energy and climate sector are supported by be problem solving, analyse, evaluate,internationally, belongs to a dying paradigm, the general tendencies of global industries ask investigative questions.which is being replaced with a new one, and knowledge societies, where newwhere growth and development on a much knowledge is generated faster than ever • C ommunication – listen, express ideas,larger scale, will happen through the sharing and the need for the appropriate skills is use different platforms, use differentof knowledge, co-operation and changing at a similar pace. expressionscommunication. This is the goal of TorbenKirkegaard, CEO and founder of Energy and The Swiss Foundation ”World economic ”The statement from the world economicClimate Academy, who develop courses forum”, which ran a discussion forum on the forum very accurately addresses the future world’s economic issues with government needs in the energy and climate sector. This is relevant for all industries; the possession82 PES Wind

TALKING POINTGreen Tech Center, Vejle, Denmark, where Energy and Climate Academy have their office ‘Therefore the way forward is the sharing of knowledge and co-operation’of knowledge is in and of itself not the road expression to use in this case, but then knowledge, but also create relationshipsto success when knowledge and again not, the approach to knowledge is which lead to trust and makes co-operationinformation are developed at an increasing ever changing and the industries and faster or more effective.pace. The resources expended to find the organisations that fail to adapt are facing acorrect knowledge, keeping it to yourself dark and difficult time. Organisations, in for In terms of courses the tendency towardsand utilising it to gain an advantage over the example, the wind industry, could sharing knowledge is also showing. Thecompetition, without the knowledge being advantageously start using the sharing of Energy and Climate Academy has justcompromised is becoming increasingly knowledge. By doing this, they would take opened enrolment for its first course ondifficult and is no longer profitable. This is their development further in relation to other the Integrated Danish energy system. Thisbecause technology will have advanced energy sources. Instead of what amounts to is where employees from differentbefore a marketable product is ready. hindering each other and as a result, the organisations can improve their externalTherefore the way forward is the sharing of entire industry’s development, by not sharing of knowledge. Here participantsknowledge and co-operation” explains sharing their knowledge. from the Danish Energy Agency will meetTorben Kirkegaard project managers from private companies, Green Tech Center in Vejle, Denmark (see university lecturers and energyHe is well aware that this approach is photo) is an example of a practical companies. This course is available inshaking the foundations of the traditional cooperation. Here are 25 companies with Denmark in May 2017.methods of corporations in the energy and 200 employees, all working within energyclimate sector, particularly their approach and climate areas. Competitors who have ”This course underlines that we still haveto business development and the idea that become partners in specific projects, some steps to go before we can applyknowledge is to be considered a corporate companies who can use their neighbours’ knowledge sharing across entire industries,secret. There is no doubt that this paradigm competencies and thus deliver a better when the potential is not yet fullyshift will have major bumps along the road product or service to their customers. They understood internally in organisations. Butand across all corporate levels. meet at lunchtime, in the same canteen and it is an important first step in the right at the coffee machine during the day, which direction.” emphasises Torben Kirkegaard.The point is that there is no way around not only means that they share professionalthis. Disruption might be a severe www.energyandclimateacademy.com www.peswind.com 83

TALKING POINTKeeping the wind blowingin the right directionThe number of wind turbines used globally has grown Renewable energy has now overtaken coalexponentially over the last few years and with it so has the as the world’s biggest source of power-need for efficient and safer inspection methods. Ray Faulkner generating capacity. Clean energy costsfrom iRed, an industry-leading thermographic consultancy are tumbling, with the potential for industryand training centre, explains how Unmanned Aerial Vehicles growth rapidly expanding. Britain has been(UAVs/Drones) are establishing a strong case for involvement. at the forefront of developing this technology; however it’s in danger of falling behind. The rest of the world is catching on. China, for example, is working towards becoming a green energy superpower, with huge investments in solar energy. India is making strides in their development of wind power and Ireland has recently voted to become the first country to remove all dependence on fossil fuels. The UK has been the fastest growing green economy in Europe. Despite being a world leader in offshore wind - helped by having the second largest tidal range in the world - the UK has the potential to supply a far greater share of the country’s energy84 PES Wind

TALKING POINTneeds. According to Renewable UK, there inspect buildings, electrical equipment and ground-based alternatives, they are alsoare currently over 7000 wind turbines rotating machinery to find faults associated significantly quicker.operating within Britain, with nearly 6000 of with heat loss or gain. Infrared camerasthese being onshore installations. have developed significantly over recent UAVs are able to fly at an optimum years: modern thermal imaging cameras distance from the structure, usually from 3Using drones for inspection are now so small they can fit in the palm of to 10m, and can circle around it to cover your hand. These smaller and significantly the whole surface area. This data can thenThe quick and efficient scanning of land, lighter infrared cameras are ideal for be used in conjunction withbuilding sites and large machinery by UAS integration with aerial platforms. photogrammetry software and used to(Unmanned Aerial Systems) present not build a three-dimensional model of theonly a far safer method of inspection but a Solar panels blade, delivering a level of accuracy andmore effective view of operations, offering a detail that is hard to achieve with manualnew perspective from which issues and The first foray for drones, into the renewables methods. When and if repairs are needed,faults can be detected. New ‘Gas Find’ market, was not with wind turbines, but with the team knows the exact location on the photovoltaic solar panels. A need for turbine. Because it is GPS enabled, it alsoUAV IR cameras for the oil, gas and utility inspection is becoming increasingly essential points to the repair’s exact location.industries are already in service, providing as the use of solar energy is expanding bothexceptional results in areas previously domestically and commercially. Solar panels Software systems are emerging toconsidered impossible to survey. are highly sensitive pieces of equipment that automate the task of inspecting wind require periodic maintenance in order to turbine blades using UAVs. WindSpect,Inspection using drones combines visual or replace or repair damaged panels, in order to powered by AirFusion, is the first softwareinfrared techniques, looking for visual improve efficiency. based, intelligent image recognitioncharacteristics and thermal signatures. technology for the wind power industry.Thermography (otherwise known as thermal Pairing aerial capabilities with thermal WindSpect automatically recognises overimaging) uses infrared-sensitive cameras to imaging techniques allows the inspection of 40 types of wind turbine blade damage and PV systems in remote areas, meaning records their positions on the blade. The rooftops and large buildings can easily be data is then organised by blade and tower, assessed. Employing infrared technology sorted for severity of damage and a full and high definition imagery makes it report is automatically output in industry possible to find damaged cells, survey large standard data formats for use in ERP, solar farms and monitor the overall CMMS and SCADA compliant systems. effectiveness of energy production. Another important benefit of using drones Wind energy is that it keeps everyone on the ground for the entire process, allowing a team of Wind turbines promise to be an enormous skilled technicians to direct and guide the market for drone inspection. As the industry operator in real time. matures, a growing number of wind turbines are operating out of warranty and Visual or thermal? must be serviced more frequently to maintain productivity and avoid downtime. Both visual and thermal analysis play a Preventative maintenance by inspecting useful role in the inspection of wind blades before a blade failure actually turbines. Blade damage and gearbox failure occurs costs 25% less than reactive are the two factors responsible for the maintenance, while predictive maintenance greatest amount of energy loss, with poor costs 47% less. maintenance and lightning strikes being the most frequent causes. While inspection of This is driving a brisk business in wind the main tower is primarily a visual job, turbine blade inspections, a role that has thermography can play a useful supportive traditionally been accomplished from the role in examining nacelles and the turbine ground using simple visual inspections to blades themselves. Nacelles house the more complicated and risky techniques mechanics of the turbine, including the such as using a cherry picker, service gearbox, generator, brake, controller and platform, hydraulic crane or rope descent. yaw mechanism. These methods involve heavy equipment or climbing, which is not only time consuming, Nacelles but costly and very dangerous. Visual inspections are carried out to ensure Commercial-grade UAVs handled by that there is no damage and no debris has professional operators are proving to be a built up around the moving parts. If there more effective inspection method than any were debris in the nacelle, this in the worst alternatives. Not only can they provide case could ignite. If the yaw mechanism is closer, higher-resolution imagery than damaged then the turbine may not be able www.peswind.com 85

TALKING POINTto turn its blades against the wind, which DJI Inspire mounted with the Zenmuse XT certificate upon completion of a ground-could result in greater damage. Although school multiple-choice exam and avisual inspection is most significant, aerial training and equipment across the UK and practical flight assessment.thermography on wind turbines is also worldwide. The team holds ‘Permissions foruseful for quickly discovering excessive Commercial Operations’ from the Civil The first day is classroom-based, withheat being generated from the nacelles. Aviation Authority (ID. 2082) allowing them topics including suitable airframe types, IR to utilise drones to provide new, innovative camera selection, pertinent air laws, humanBlades inspection techniques. factors, environmental conditions, workflow and customer deliverables. On the secondExposed to whatever the weather throws at iRed is the first in the UK to launch a day, the practical session is run from thethem, rotating at 10 to 22 rotations per Specialist Infrared Payload Course for company’s Bosham base, where delegatesminute and designed to endure more than Drone Operators. Over two days, the have the opportunity to plan, rig, test and120,000 operating hours, the blades are course is designed to provide theoretical execute an aerial thermographic survey.some of the hardest working parts of a wind and practical knowledge for professionalturbine. Made of glass fibre reinforced users intending to view or capture aerial www.ired.co.ukcomposite and weighing around 12 tonnes thermal images. The first specialist payloadeach, there is a need to ensure they are course will take place this month at the Further Informationstructurally safe. company’s purpose-built training facility in Emsworth, near Portsmouth. For further information please contactThermographic cameras can be used to Tim Mammatt, Business Developmentidentify areas of the blade which are The APS (Aerial Payload Specialist) Infrared Manager, iRed, [email protected] or Jackdelaminating, as they can detect variances in Course enables delegates to utilise aerial IR Bloomfield, Marketing Manager, iRed,the heat of the blade structure. Inspection of equipment to view or collect thermal data [email protected] blades can be carried out using drones, to an industry standard. This is achieved byor a telescopic mast and a zoom camera familiarising attendees with established and iRed: Unit 6, The Old Flour Mill, Queenwhich can examine the blade in detail. proven techniques used in the planning and Street, Emsworth, Hampshire PO10 execution of commercial aerial surveys. 7BTTel: 0124 3370296Training and consultancy Delegates are issued with the APS InfraredNaturally, companies who can provide acombination of both visual and infraredinspections have a competitiveadvantage. It is still not common for thosecarrying out visual inspections to haveany thermography qualifications -however, at iRed we have seen a growingnumber of people book from the windturbine inspection business onto ourthermographic training courses todistinguish themselves from theircompetition. Many such companies alsooffer inspection of other renewable energyassets, including solar, where thermalinspection using drones also plays amajor part.Founded in 2002, iRed is at the forefront ofindustry, providing specialist thermographicand remote sensing services, consultancy, About iRed Founded in 2002, iRed is an industry- leading team of accredited thermographers based in the UK, providing expert thermal imaging training and services worldwide. This passionate team has worked with a variety of clients within domestic, commercial, industrial and scientific industries, developing decades of experience and expertise. Using the latest imaging technology and techniques, iRed delivers a wide range of services including condition monitoring, thermographic inspections, reliability engineering support, mould & damp detection, electro-mechanical surveys, continuity of insulation, specialist investigations and BREEAM surveys. The nacelle area of a wind turbine, prior to installation86 PES Wind

10.070 use spreader and sling with provide 50.0000100.0000 3031.9996

TALKING POINT © On top of a turbine in Madeira, Portugal by Jason Bickley Good forecast ahead At the beginning of March 2017 PES asked Steve Sawyer, secretary general GWEC, for his informed perspective on current wind production worldwide and his short term predictions.88 PES Wind

TALKING POINTSteve Sawyer India set a new national record with 3,612 MW of new installations, pushing it intoOverall, the wind industry globally started fourth place in terms of annual capacitythe year in good shape, with solid growth, and cementing it’s fourth placeprospects for 2017 and beyond. position in cumulative terms, behind China, the US and Germany. Germany passed theAlthough we didn’t reach the 60 GW mark 50 GW mark in 2016 with installations ofin 2016, largely because China ‘only’ 5,443 MW, which was nonetheless down ainstalled 23 GW instead of last year’s little bit on 2015’s figure which wasphenomenal 30 GW, the industry chalked somewhat inflated by late connections ofup 12.6% growth in cumulative capacity; offshore wind projects which were actuallywith a 54.6 GW market leading to a total ready to go in 2014.capacity at the end of the year of 486.7 GW,which will have by now (March 2017) US installations of 8,203 MW were about thepassed 500 GW in total. In addition to same as 2015’s, and despite the politicalChina, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and goings-on, seem to be on track for a strongCanada were down a bit on the 2015 2017, with 18+ GW either under constructionmarket; but these are largely cyclical or in advanced stages of development. Soissues, except in the case of South Africa far so good – fingers crossed!and we expect to see them all turn aroundin 2017. Europe’s numbers were surprisingly strong, actually surpassing 2015 for Europe as a whole on the strength of Turkey’s 1,387 MW, the first time that country has broken the 1 GW barrier in a single year. The EU 28 was down by just a few percent, led by Germany, France (1,561 MW) and the Netherlands (887 MW – most of which was offshore). Brazil once again led markets in Latin America, installing 2,014 MW, despite the country’s political and economic woes. Chile had a record year with installations of 543 MW, and Uruguay installed 365 MW, pushing both countries over the 1 GW mark in terms of cumulative installations. But the big news in Latin America this year was Argentina, which started the year with a new government and a moribund industry, but ended the year with a solid 1.4 GW pipeline and more to come. Both Africa and the Pacific were quiet with contributions coming only from the big markets of South Africa and Australia. www.peswind.com 89

TALKING POINTSo what’s in store for 2017? emissions and reduce air pollution. The Lake Turkana project in Kenya, which will national emissions trading system which is be Africa’s largest wind project as well asWe expect China’s market to return to being implemented this year will help with the largest private investment ever ingrowth in 2017, in anticipation of yet another that, at least on the economics, but that will Kenya, as now completed construction, andcut in the feed-in tariff scheduled for the only be evident after several years, and will will be commissioned very soon.beginning of 2018. The country’s only reach its full potential with realcurtailment problem persists, averaging a electricity market reform. In Latin America, as well as the hoped-forwhopping 17% in 2016, although new HVAC recovery in demand in Brazil, we expect toand HVDC transmission lines should help a We expect strong repeat years from the US, see many construction starts in Argentina,bit. However, the main problem is not the Germany, and India, and there is hope that although by no means all of the 1.4 GWlack of transmission, but the lack of the Brazilian economy will start to recover pipeline will be completed in 2017. Chile’swillingness of the regional system operators and put some demand back in the market. wind sector is now going strong, theto give wind power the priority dispatch that In South Africa, the impasse between Peruvian market is picking up, and we seeit is supposed to have under the country’s President Zuma and his cronies on the one first stirrings of a potential new market inRenewable Energy Law, and the hand, and the regulator and the industry, Colombia. Mexico is looking at its first yearunwillingness and/or inability of the central which has held up more than 2 GW of ever with more than 1,000 MW ofgovernment to enforce the law. renewable energy projects for more than a installations in 2017. year and a half, is coming to an end. Again,This problem will persist until and unless fingers crossed. After a quiet year or two, the Australianthere is real electricity market reform, which market is picking up again, and both thewill create a real market driven by Elsewhere in Africa, the 850 MW auctioned Philippines and Viet Nam seem poised toeconomics and the country’s very in Morocco in 2016 at record low prices will develop their substantial market potential.aggressive policies to reduce CO2 start to be built out, and the pioneering90 PES Wind

TALKING POINT© Areva Multibrid, Jan Oelker www.peswind.com 91

TALKING POINT But the big story that developed in 2016 and92 PES Wind promises to begin to bear fruit in 2017, is the cratering of offshore prices. It started with the Dutch tender for Borssele 1 & 2 in June coming in at €72/MWh, well below expectations; followed by a Danish nearshore tender in September at €64/MWh. This was followed in November with the winning bid for the Danish Krieger’s Flak project coming in at an astonishing €49.90/MWh; and then Borssele 3 & 4 in the Netherlands coming in at €54.50/MWh in December. These prices have certainly gotten everyone’s attention, and we have the bizarre situation in some European countries (at least temporarily) that offshore wind is cheaper than onshore! Many have questioned whether or not it is possible to build offshore projects at these prices. While these projects are exceptional in some ways, I believe that prices well below €100/MWh are in fact the ‘new normal’, meeting industry and governments well ahead of the 2020 timeframe it had set for these prices. The reasons are many: the maturing of the industry, the improvement and maturation of the technology and management thereof, growing investor confidence, and the introduction and deployment of a new generation of 6-8 MW (and now 9MW with the up-rating of the V-164) machines, with enormous swept area and tremendous output. On the basis of this I think we will finally begin to see the spread of the offshore industry beyond its northern European home to North America, East Asia, India and perhaps elsewhere in the near future. Elsewhere on the technology front, we see the continued evolution and spread of new ‘low wind speed’ installations, with taller towers, longer blades, down-rated generators and lower cut-in speeds increasing capacity factors substantially. This has made wind power commercially competitive in a much wider range of geographies than was previously the case, which has huge ramifications across global markets. Record low prices for offshore wind, as well as for onshore wind in major markets in both the OECD and emerging markets, will be the primary drivers for development of wind power in the short to medium term; and with the evolution of the Paris Agreement, with or without the US, will only add to the industry’s momentum. www.gwec.net/

CORPORATE FOCUSO&M Manager Nordsee One, Sönke Scholl has made a long term service and maintenance agreement with the Danish service provider Semco Maritime comprising fullservice and maintenance of the offshore substation and all the wind turbine foundations (Copyright Nordsee One). www.peswind.com 93

CORPORATE FOCUSThe value of continuous,preventive maintenanceAt PES we know that maximising uptime and reducing costs are essential to the offshore windpower business. Semco Maritime helps offshore wind farm operators do exactly this byoffering full service and maintenance concepts for offshore substations and wind turbinefoundations - the so-called transition pieces.Semco Maritime helps offshore wind farm Engineers and service technicians have the work and safety training, courses and certificates required to workoperators maximise uptime and drive down with service and maintenance assignments offshore.operational costs by offering full serviceand maintenance concepts for offshoresubstations and wind turbine foundations,the so-called transition pieces. It is simplygood business to have a pro-activeapproach to maintenance because itprevents break-downs which cause costlydowntime during repair.‘After building and commissioning close to20 offshore substations in the North Seaarea we discovered a gap in the market. Wefound that offshore wind farm operatorsspend much time and energy oncoordinating the work of a large number ofservice providers. Therefore, we are nowoffering a full scope service conceptwhereby we release time and resources forthe operator enabling him to concentrate onthe operation of the wind farm,’ says BjarneChristensen, Director of service operationsat Semco Maritime.Certified specialistsSemco Maritime have more than 30 yearsof experience in the offshore industry withmodifications, maintenance and service foroperators of oil and gas installations andoffshore wind farms. They know theindustry inside out and they possess therequired range of special competences andskills in engineering, procurement,construction and installation.94 PES Wind

CORPORATE FOCUS‘All our engineers and service technicians The maintenance schedule is made in a computer-based maintenance management system that makes allhave the work and safety training, courses service and maintenance tasks performed visible for the operatorand certificates required to work withservice and maintenance assignments Semco Maritime sector experience safe and cost-efficientoffshore. They all have practical working operations.experience from the construction phase Semco Maritime is an internationalof an offshore substation and most of project engineering company with more Starting in the oil and gas industry in thethem are multi-disciplined meaning that a than 30 years of experience dedicated to early 80s, today Semco Maritime is thesmall team can perform a wide range of the global energy sector. Based on the global market leader in offshoreservice and maintenance tasks,’ company’s vision: ‘To be the energy substation solutions. Since 2001 thecontinues Bjarne Christensen. sector’s first choice for safe solutions company has designed and delivered all that consistently meet expectations’, necessary electrical equipment for 19Focus on operation they facilitate the design, fabrication, substations including high, medium and service and maintenance of the low voltage switchgear, SCADA systemsMany offshore wind farm operators have customers’ assets, providing and telecommunication solutions.engaged with several companies providing comprehensive project managementservice and maintenance. Consequently the across all phases of energy projects. Semco Maritime is a truly globalwind farm operators must do all the company with 1300 employees in theplanning and coordination themselves. From turnkey engineering solutions to headquarters in Denmark and in theApart from being very time consuming, this operation support and delivery of subsidiaries in Norway, the UK,approach also demands more frequent components, systems and solutions Singapore, Vietnam, China, Australia,visits to the substation and the wind power Semco Maritime makes sure that Central America and the USA.generators. By engaging with only one customers and partners in the energyservice provider, for whom service and www.semcomaritime.com.maintenance is core business, the operatorcan focus his resources on operating the to the service requirements. ensures efficient operation of all systemswind farm. and quick reaction in case of emergency. For Semco Maritime safety always comesThe O&M Manager on the Nordsee One first. The company’s safety motto is ‘No ‘We have established a subsidiary inwind farm, Sönke Scholl has made a long compromise – we care’. Norddeich, Germany in order to be close toterm service and maintenance agreement our customers operating in the Southernwith Semco Maritime. He says: ‘They built ‘We are very proud of our fine safety part of the North Sea. We are planning tothe substation – it makes perfect sense that records. We put great effort in training our establish more service hubs on strategicthey service and maintain it. By letting one staff in safety. We want our people to return locations, to make sure that we can serviceservice provider take care of all service and home in the evening as safe and sound as offshore wind farm operators in the bestmaintenance aspects we save both time when they left for work in the morning,’ possible way. We strongly believe that thisand money. This enables us to concentrate explains Bjarne Christensen. kind of cooperation will increase in theon what we do best: Providing reliable wind future,’ concludes Bjarne Christensen.power at the lowest possible cost’. Monitoring the control station of the substation and the wind power generators www.semcomaritime.comComputer aided maintenance schedules and hotline service support are also managed by the service provider. ThisAll service and maintenance jobs start witha thorough general survey of the asset, inorder to assess the technical condition, ofthe offshore substation and transitionpieces. Based on this survey a customisedservice and maintenance schedule isdeveloped. This schedule ensures that allsystems are serviced according to manualsand requirements.A specialist service and maintenanceprovider will allocate the proper resourcesand personnel with the right competencesfor the job. The use of multi-disciplinedengineers and technicians ensuresefficiency and high quality service andmaintenance work.The maintenance schedule is made in acomputer-based maintenancemanagement system that makes all serviceand maintenance tasks performed visiblefor the operator.Maintenance reports are generated daily,weekly or monthly documenting everysingle service task. The reports provide arecord of what was serviced, how long ittook and who did the job, as well safety andtechnical protocols. The schedule isupdated and changed regularly according www.peswind.com 95

THINK TANKA glimpse in to the futureof German wind While German wind turbine manufacturers have become active in nearly all markets in the world, in Germany it is facing a profound upheaval. Now that renewable, decentralised energy transition technology has become a major pillar for power generation in this industrial nation. Matthias Zelinger, Managing Director of the Power Systems trade association and VDMA (German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association) gives PES the benefit of his insight.Matthias ZelingerSince the beginning of the year the federal the previous year could finally feed into the so that they could finalise before the newgovernment has started organising the grid. Land-based wind energy achieved a amendment to the Renewable Energyexpansion of new installations by record year in 2014 thanks to a variety of Sources Act came into force. This wasimplementing a tendering system, following concurrently occurring effects. following a long and unhealthy row ofa major, international trend. This increases The obvious one was that many investors boom and bust cycles caused bycompetition and cost pressure, along the pressed for completion in the same year regulatory changes.process chain. At the same time, they arestriving to achieve fair conditions on the Development of the market in Germanyworld market and develop a new integratedenergy system in Germany.The expansion of wind energy in Germanywas very successful over the last threeyears. 2016 saw a capacity increase ofapproximately 4,600 megawatts onshoreand 800 megawatts offshore. With morethan two gigawatts going online, 2015 wasa record year for offshore wind energy.The reason for this great leap was in factdue to a delay: the completion of a numberof offshore grid connection points in 2015meant that an unusually large number ofwind turbines that had been installed over96 PES Wind

THINK TANKThe German wind industry’s export 2014-2016, but still relevant enough for technology, turbine efficiency, economiesbusiness has also done very well. German Germany to retain its position as a key of scale, digitisation – we are using the termmanufacturers now export 2/3 of their market. It becomes difficult, however, when Industrie 4.0 and cooperation with suppliersproduction and have achieved an the implantation rate is not high. In other has long been a global imperative for theapproximately 20 per cent share of the words, when projects were awarded the industry. The cost-saving aspect is onceworld market. Finally, the market exhibited tender, but have not been built. again becoming increasingly moreover all a sustained phase of large-scale important, because the tendering processwind power expansion. There is reason to fear that such a low creates even more competition along the implementation rate is possible is: the volume whole project chain.Despite the slight decrease in world market of the significant German market couldvolume in 2016, the international markets shrink, because depending on the scope of The international trend towards tenderingwith the exception of China remained stable, the tenders awarded to local community schemes for renewable energy generationwith around 55 gigawatts, according toGWEC figures. The world market size was Forecast for future gross expansion onshore in Germanyhowever still dominated in particular byChina, still largely inaccessible for foreign energy projects and the construction time, it is shaping the demand for cost-optimised,manufacturers, which according to is to be expected that there will be long reliable wind turbines and system solutions.preliminary figures achieved an increase in average installation periods. Industrial production, innovative supplycapacity of 23 gigawatts. It is estimated that chains, investment in research andthe world market will experience a slight but The situation of the offshore wind industry development for future-oriented turbinescontinuous rate of annual growth until 2020. will be predictably critical when we look at that are optimised to specific wind and 2021 and 2022, where federal government weather conditions – these are the thingsIt is safe to say that Germany is still one of has restricted expansion to 500 megawatts that made it possible to reduce the cost ofthe most interesting international markets a year. Because of the long production generating electricity by 60 per cent overfor wind turbine manufacturers. Energy lead-time involved, reducing the expansion the last twenty years.transition technology has become a volume and rigidly fixing annual quantitiesrelevant factor for the German industrial will already begin to put a strain on value Land-based wind energy is now one of thebase in terms of production capacities, its creation for the offshore wind industry in cheapest power sources in the energywealth of know-how and renowned Germany over the next few years. system. We have gone through a steepscientific institutions. Wind energy provides learning curve in recent years. Greater poweraround 150,000 jobs in the country, with Cost reduction through improved turbinesome 55,000 of these in the mechanicalengineering sector, one that plays a key role Industry forecast for offshore wind energy expansion in Germany up to 2019for Germany. In 2016 the wind industry’sGerman production generated a turnover ofaround 14 billion euros.The icing on the cake is that Germany ishome to the leading international windindustry trade fair, WindEnergy Hamburg,which has together with the WindEuropeSummit established itself as the leadingevent for the wind industry.Renewable power generation is now moreor less the norm, but it is going through asea change, an upheaval that harbourssome risks, but many opportunities.The 2017 Renewable Energy Sources Act(EEG) represents a profound transformationfor the German market, changing from aremuneration system with fixed feed-intariffs to competitive tendering combinedwith quantity control of the annualexpansion of wind turbines both offshoreand on land.The first tenders for the construction ofwind energy projects will be submitted thisspring. In the transition phase between2017 and 2018 it is possible to completeprojects that will be subject to the oldremuneration system as long as they werepermitted and registered on time.According to the so called “installationregister”, this affects projects with anoverall volume of 8,800 megawatts.Manufacturers estimate that theoverwhelming majority of these will berealised during the transition phase.As of 2019 the annual expansion on land isexpected to be 2,800 megawatts. That isconsiderably less than in the boom years www.peswind.com 97

THINK TANKyields and more operating hours have made systems and consumers. functioning energy system will be dependentup for the reduced remuneration permitted on advanced wind turbines and gridby the EEG, have sustained system stability, Integrated energy connects them all technology. Wind energy will also increasinglyand will continue to do so in 2017. digitally in order to harmonise supply and have to make its way into the heating and consumption, with one another, in a way mobility sectors if energy transition is also toOffshore, recent results of tenders in that is intelligent and efficient. A generator be possible in these sectors.Denmark and the Netherlands have shown that is fit for the future is flexibly integratedthat appropriate project volumes can into the overall system, efficient and – even The wind industry has a positive future insignificantly reduce costs. This can also be in the case of thermal generators - Germany, but it must take three things toexpected in Germany, even if it is not potentially climate-neutral. heart: firstly, it must push ahead with thepossibly to apply the conditions exactly in competition in the domestic European andthe aforementioned two countries to Manufacturers are preparing themselves for global markets triggering innovation.Germany: lifetime and project size, which this and they are gathering their experience Secondly, it must further reduce electricityhave a very significant impact on the project in Germany, the country behind the concept generation costs. Thirdly, we must use ourcosts for a wind farm, can vary. Unlike in of energy transition. In 2016 more than 30 technologies to support the stability of theGermany, operators in Denmark and the per cent of Germany’s electrical power energy system and accelerate the energyNetherlands do not have to bear the costs consumption was provided by renewable transition in the heating, the industrial andfor the transformer platform. Their projects energy, with around half of that coming transport sectors.are also far nearer the shore and in shallower from wind energy.water, which makes them less costly. The chair of von VDMA Power Systems, With just 15 minutes a year of power Siemens Wind & Renewables Division CEODue to growth in other parts of the world, outage, the power supply in the country is Dr Markus M. Tacke earlier summed up theseeing especially large scale projects and world class. This is due not only to a good opportunity the German wind industry isdue to the stagnation of the German market infrastructure, but also to system-assisting facing as follows: “If we succeed, then ourexport and the globalisation of the industry plants that are increasingly stabilising the wind industry will play a significant role ingains even more importance. The original grid. These must have full access to the ensuring that solutions from the GermanGerman wind industry partnering with market for system services. Technically we Energiewende can be successfullyplayers from other countries and being are often ready but what is lacking is a adapted worldwide.”present in nearly all major markets is regulatory framework and a business modelsuccessful on the world market. It develops for system services, for energy storage Because we, as an industry association,turbines for specific climates and systemic systems and for the flexibility of everything know that this does not depend on therequirements, has the capability to enter in the energy system. firms alone, we advocate a politicalnew markets fast and to educate people for framework that encourages competition,production, service and maintenance tasks. Despite this, the wind turbine industry is still industrial growth and innovation. investing in system-assisting technologiesThe UN’s Paris Climate Treaty opens up because it is obvious that a properly www.vdma.orgmore markets for renewable energytechnologies and provides a more sustainmarket perspective.Fair competition conditions on the worldmarket are however crucial for the future ofthe wind turbine industry and for a costeffective transition towards carbon neutralenergy supply. The removal of trade barriersopens up an opportunity to offer competitiveproducts more quickly on the world market.National regulations with requirements forlocal conditions are quite common. Theyspecify that a certain proportion of the valuecreation of a wind energy project must berendered in the country.Local value creation is needed and themechanical engineering industry is usedto producing all over the world, which alsocreates employment in Germany.However, rigid local content requirements,often also result in slower marketdevelopment and higher costs. Localcontent grows reasonably with the market,the maturity of local industry and thesustainability of regulation.The upheaval in the market structures and inlegislation is an expression of an even morefundamental change of energy systems as awhole. The energy system of tomorrow ischaracterised by the phrase integratedenergy. The meaning behind this is the ideaof an energy system that is greater than thesum of generating capacities, grids, storage98 PES Wind



THINK TANKWeather risk cover: allyou need to know as aclean energy asset ownerWords: Geoffrey Taunton-Collins, Weather Risk Analyst, GCube Underwriting Ltd. As with any asset type, consistently ensuring reliable returns from renewable energy assets requires charting a course through a series of financial risks. For the wind industry in particular, given the fickle nature of the elemental force underpinning it, resource underperformance is becoming the principal concern for diligent asset managers and stakeholders over the lifetime of a project. There is now a growing awareness and recognition of the significant threat it poses to asset owners and their revenues. Geoffrey Taunton-Collins100 PES Wind